Platform bird feeders, also called fly-through bird feeders, encourage the widest variety of bird species and also attract ground-feeding birds like doves. Platform bird feeders are the easiest type to use. You simply dump bird seed or other bird food onto the platform, and you’re done.

The only problems with platform bird feeders are their exposure to weather and squirrels. This type of bird feeder also can be dominated by larger birds, because every bird species in the neighborhood might visit.

A platform bird feeder with a solid bottom will need cleaning more than a bird feeder with a wire bottom; both will have to be cleaned when soiled. Because birds can walk anywhere on the platform, the feeder can become caked with waste. Before refilling food, clean the platform with a wire brush and a solution of 10 parts bleach to 1 part water.

Many platform bird feeders come with a roof or rain guard, making them fly-through feeders. Platform bird feeders range in material from wood to copper, and they can be mounted on a pole or suspended from a hook or branch.

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